On the Inside

Two factors that are crucial to maintain healthy, youthful-looking skin include dermal hydration and antioxidant protection.  As we age, our skin begins to “dry out” due to a decrease in natural oil production and moisture-retention.  The damage caused by the sun’s rays, along with environmental pollution contributes to the development of free-radicals.  Although our bodies and skin have multiple innate mechanisms to defend against free-radical damage, this process becomes less efficient as we age.  Clinical studies indicate that free-radicals contribute to age-related illnesses and to the aging process itself.  Antioxidants can play a vital role by helping to reduce, neutralize and eliminate the production of free-radicals.

As part of an age management program, most of us have incorporated antioxidants into our skin care regimen.  Many of these products include the “work horse” antioxidants including vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin A, and green tea.

What you may not have considered is the importance of taking antioxidants internally as part of an age management program.  Today, we are consistently advised to eat a wide variety of colored fruits and vegetables.  Plants contain protective botanical compounds called flavonoids that help to protect the plant from the sun’s harmful rays.  Fortuitously, by ingesting foods or supplements that contain these compounds, antioxidant protection is conferred to us.  Given that most Americans do not eat 5+ servings a day of these types of foods, supplementing the diet with a wide variety of antioxidants makes sense.

At Acadian Skin Care, we offer VitaMedica, a physician-formulated nutritional supplement line that is designed to support healthy skin.  Several of VitaMedica’s products include antioxidants.  As the name identifies, Broad Spectrum Antioxidant provides a broad range of antioxidants in an oral form.  Just as a broad spectrum sunscreen provides antioxidant protection against a wide range of UV rays, Broad Spectrum Antioxidant provides a wide range of protection against multiple types of free-radicals.  The nutraceutical is formulated with key antioxidants including Betatene®, Flora-GLO® lutein, vitamin C, vitamin E, green tea, grape seed extract, and alpha lipoic acid.

VitaMedica also offers a HA+A Hydrating Nutraceutical.  This unique supplement features hyaluronic acid – one of the skin’s most important components for hydration and moisture retention.  Importantly, the supplement is fortified with several key compounds known for their antioxidant protective benefits including Pycnogenol® and CoQ10.

Did You Know?  The primary source of antioxidants for most Americans is coffee!  Only chocolate, dried fruits and dried beans are higher in antioxidants.  For this reason, it’s not surprising that Hershey’s recently introduced a line of dark chocolate bars that are positioned as “good for you” because they contain a concentrated form of antioxidant flavanols found in cocoa beans.